Steve Kerr has emerged as the favorite to replace Gregg Popovich as head coach of USA Basketball, sources tell Marc Stein of Substack.

Erik Spoelstra is another natural candidate but he lacks prior experience on the national team coaching staff, which is believed to be a prerequisite for the job.

Kerr was an assistant under Popovich on the Olympic team that overcame a loss to France in its opener in Tokyo to win the gold.

The decision on who to hire as head coach is the first one for Grant Hill since replacing Jerry Colangelo. 

Grant Hill hopes to hire a new head coach for USA Basketball before the start of the 21-22 season on October 19th.

Gregg Popovich spent five years as head coach, culminating in winning the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

A source told Marc J. Spears of the Undefeated that a current NBA coach with previous USA Basketball would likely be hired.

Steve Kerr, Doc Rivers, Nate McMillan, Monty Williams, Tom Thibodeau, Erik Spoelstra and Lloyd Pierce all fit that description. Jeff Van Gundy is another potential candidate as a former NBA coach with previous USA Basketball experience. 

Hill was asked what he's looking for in a head coach. 

“Someone who understands and has a healthy respect for the international game," said Hill. The dynamics are a bit different in that environment than they are in the NBA regular season. You’re going to be dealing with some tough love of players, and being able to mentor them. That’ll check the boxes, if you will.

“Someone who can manage a locker room, who understands the international play, obviously can coach, and understands this isn’t over. Spending the last year just really studying the international game, it’s different. It’s a different game than our game, and understanding that and respecting that is vitally important and not just for the staff but for the players as well.”